With a sharp–edged screenplay by playwright Harold Pinter, adapting Ian McEwan’s haunting novel, and chillingly directed by Paul Schrader (First Reformed), The Comfort of Strangers leads viewers on a shadowy, dreamlike journey towards the darkest realms of human experience. Later this month the BFI will release it on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK as part of a new Dual Format Edition.

Amongst the special features is a brand new commentary by Paul Schrader, recorded just last month exclusively for the BFI, and cinematographer Dante Spinotti has specially written a piece for the accompanying booklet.

Jaded lovers Mary (Natasha Richardson) and Colin (Rupert Everett – The Happy Prince) attempt to reinvigorate their flagging relationship with a romantic trip to Venice. Soon, though, they find themselves drawn into in a complex web of deceit, passion, perversion and sexual intrigue, subtly spun by mysterious Robert (Christopher Walken), who resides nearby in palatial splendour with his wife Caroline (Helen Mirren).

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Harold Pinter, one of the most important and influential British playwrights of the last century. This release follows BFI Southbank’s two month season – Pinter on Screen: Power, Sex & Politics – which concluded at the end of August.

The Comfort of Strangers will be released in the UK as a Dual Format edition (Blu-ray & DVD) on 24 September 2018 by the BFI at a yet to be confirmed RRP.

Special features:

Audio commentary by director Paul Schrader, newly recorded for this release

Prospectus for a Course Not Given: The Paul Schrader Film Masterclass (1982, 100 mins, audio only): Paul Schrader provides an illuminating precis of the film course he had recently presented in America